Lando Norris delivered a commanding performance to secure pole position for the São Paulo Grand Prix, further strengthening his championship aspirations while his closest rivals faltered. The British driver’s flawless final lap came after an initial error, demonstrating the composure that has characterized his recent surge in form.
Norris’s achievement stands in stark contrast to the struggles faced by his championship competitors. Oscar Piastri could only manage fourth on the grid after crashing out of Saturday’s sprint race, while reigning champion Max Verstappen suffered a shocking elimination in the first qualifying segment, leaving him 16th on the starting grid.
The McLaren driver, fresh from his sprint race victory earlier in the day, now carries significant momentum into Sunday’s main event. His pole position lap of 1:09.511 edged out Ferrari’s Kimi Antonelli, who secured an impressive second place, with Charles Leclerc completing the top three for the Italian team.
Verstappen’s qualifying disaster marks his worst grid position since the 2021 Russian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver had expressed frustration with his car throughout the weekend, describing it as “undriveable” and complaining of complete lack of grip. Team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged the team had taken a setup gamble that failed to pay off.
Piastri’s difficulties continued as the Australian driver’s recent run of challenging races extended to Interlagos. His sprint race incident, where he lost control after hitting a curb, proved costly and adds pressure to his championship campaign.
The session also featured a standout performance from Isack Hadjar, who qualified fifth for Racing Bulls, while seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton could only manage 13th position for Ferrari.
Norris now leads Piastri by nine points in the championship standings, with Verstappen trailing by 39 points. With four race weekends remaining, including one more sprint race, Sunday’s Grand Prix presents a crucial opportunity for Norris to extend his advantage.
